Tamil Nadu is known for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance. This includes a venerable legacy of Buddhism. While the region is predominantly recognised for its ancient Dravidian temples, it is also home to several hidden gems of Buddhist heritage. Ancient statues of the Buddha have been discovered all over Tamil Nadu and the state was home to various sects of Buddhism like Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana. Not only that, many prominent Buddhist scholars hailed from Tamil Nadu like Bodhidharma, Dhammapala, Dharmakirthi and Chandrakirthi.
Buddhism was introduced to Tamil Nadu in the 3rd century BCE during the reign of
